Health investigators in France have linked goat's cheese and bagged lettuce to outbreaks of the parasite cryptosporidium parvum, which can cause severe diarrhea lasting for weeks. Officials launched a probe after infections increased approximately eight-fold in France last year, with 166 cases reported between January and September, a significant rise from fewer than 20 in the same period previously.
Two major outbreaks were identified. The first involved 45 people who became ill between April and June, with raw goat's milk cheese suspected as the cause. Of 23 interviewed patients, 17 reported consuming goat's milk cheese. The reports were traced to two dairy farms, though they denied having the parasite in their herds, and no contaminated batches could be tested. Currently, there are no European regulations to detect cryptosporidium in food products.
The second outbreak affected 31 individuals between June and July, with one requiring hospitalization. This outbreak is believed to have been triggered by pre-packaged lamb's lettuce. Nineteen people in this group reported purchasing various brands from different supermarkets, with shopping records suggesting a common distributor. However, no lettuce was available for testing.
Despite the lack of definitive proof, officials suspect these food items were contaminated. Cryptosporidium parvum can infect humans through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. The illness, known as cryptosporidiosis, is highly infectious and has no effective drug treatment. Symptoms include severe, watery diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, leading to dehydration and weight loss. Children between one and five years old are most commonly affected.
In the United Kingdom, approximately 4,000 people are infected with cryptosporidium annually. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) notes that the parasite can be found in the intestines and feces of infected humans and animals and can contaminate outdoor waters, swimming pools, and inadequately treated water supplies. It is also commonly found in raw milk and fresh produce.
This comes after a separate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an explosive diarrhea bug linked to an iceberg lettuce farm in Mexico, affected tens of thousands in the US earlier this year, resulting in two deaths and numerous hospitalizations. At least 67 Britons have fallen ill with cyclosporiasis since May.